Choosing a Graphics Card

[smunier]

Hi,

I choosing this pre-built PC, and I would like to know what graphics card to go with. My son is a casual gamer (no on-line gaming), surfs the web, MS Office, Y-tube, E-mail.

Processor
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-540 dual-core processor [3.06GHz, 512KB L2 + 4MB shared L3 cache, DMI 2.5GT/s]

Memory 4GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [2 DIMMs]

Hard drive 750GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive from 500GB



Here are my choices for video Card:
512MB DDR3 ATI Radeon HD 5450 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]
1GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce 315 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]

Which would you go choose?

Thanks.

 

[rockyjohn]

Please provide the make and model numbers of your system and power supply so we can see what the system limits are. For more information on undestanding system limits, and upgrading video cards in general, you can read more at:

http://www.upgradevideocards.com/criteria.html

Also what is the resolution of the monitor your son uses?

If the system comes with onboard graphics, you might check it out before getting a replacement card. MOst new onboard video chips provide very good display of most activities, except gaming. For casual games - it might suffice - but for more advance play - even casual use of standard games, you most likely will need a video card.

 

[17seconds]

This is a tough one, but comparing the specs of the two, first of all the 315 has twice as much memory, so that is a plus. Second, looking up the texture fill rate on the two cards, the 315 is at 7.6 (billion/sec), and the 5450 is at 5.2 Gigatexels/sec. It looks like the 315 is slightly better, but neither are very good for gaming.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_315_us.html
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5450-overview/pages/hd-5450-overview.aspx#2

I also found this list (search for the two cards). It shows the 5450 a little better than the 315, but It's unclear what memory type the cards are using.
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php

 

[17seconds]

Here is something else comparing the 512 mb versions, which are nearly the same, BUT the 315 has 1 GB, so I would choose the 315.
http://www.hwcompare.com/374/geforce-gt-315-vs-radeon-hd-5450/

The 315 is DirectX 10, and the 5450 is DirectX 11, but that likely won't matter since there probably will not be very many DirectX 11 games played with either of these cards.

 

[smunier]

HP Pavilion p6670t intel i3 540 series desktop. The Radeon HD 5440 is $50.00 and the GeForce 315 is $100.00 to upgrade either of these two cards.

Or, I can always go with the free Integrated video card it comes with, and upgrade later on.... It comes with a 300 watts power supply.

 

[rockyjohn]

I am surprised that HP includes the HD 5450 as an upgrade option on a system with only 300w of power when the mimimum power requirement for that card is 400w. Sometimes those minimums are a bit overstated but I would hesitate to push it that far, especially on the lesser quality PSUs normally included in such systems.

According to the article below the 315 is essentially an OEM version of the GT 220, which requires only 300w:

http://www.3dgameman.com/news/2009/12/08/nvidia-preparing-geforce-315-desktop-rebrand

If you look at some other pages on the site I linked above, you will see that the non-gaming page recommends both the 5450 and GT 220 at different price points and provides a rough comparison of the two on this page:

http://www.upgradevideocards.com/nongaming.html

The GT 220 is much better for gaming, but even then, according to the site has "Slow play in most games at 1280x1024".

As I asked before, what resolution monitor does your son use? If it is larger than the 1280x1024 gaming will be even slower.

Any of the cards, or the integrated graphics, should be fine for simple tasks like email and surfing.

 

[smunier]

He has a Samsung 2233BW - 22" monitor. By the way, I goof b/c HP's upgrade on video cards are

$50.00 512MB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce 315 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]
$100.00 1GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce 315 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]
$120.00 1GB DDR3 ATI Radeon HD 5570 [DVI, HDMI, DP, VGA adapter]

I think I'm going with the integrated graphics and upgrade the video card later. I would like to get a little better graphics card for intermediate gamer. Of course, I would probably need to change out the power supply that came with it from a 300w to maybe a 600 watts. Can I change out HP p6670t series desktop power supply? Looking at the NVIDIA GeForce - GeForce GT 250 or 430.

Thanks!

 

[17seconds]

He has a Samsung 2233BW - 22" monitor. By the way, I goof b/c HP's upgrade on video cards are

$50.00 512MB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce 315 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]
$100.00 1GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce 315 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]
$120.00 1GB DDR3 ATI Radeon HD 5570 [DVI, HDMI, DP, VGA adapter]

I think I'm going with the integrated graphics and upgrade the video card later. I would like to get a little better graphics card for intermediate gamer. Of course, I would probably need to change out the power supply that came with it from a 300w to maybe a 600 watts. Can I change out HP p6670t series desktop power supply? Looking at the NVIDIA GeForce - GeForce GT 250 or 430.

Thanks!

Those are wise decisions, and yes you should be able to upgrade your power supply on your own with no problems. A decent power supply + a GT 430 will only cost a little more than just the single 5570 listed.

 

[smunier]

Thanks for the feedback. My knowledge of computers is little b/c I've been out of the computer world for about 7 years. I have alot catching up to do and Tom's Hardware has been great looking up information and the responses I get from others.

I'm nervous that HP won't allow me to upgrade power supply b/c HP power supplies are a specific size and standard ones don't fit. I guess it's a way HP ensure you buy their parts. I hope this isn't true!

 

[17seconds]

Thanks for the feedback. My knowledge of computers is little b/c I've been out of the computer world for about 7 years. I have alot catching up to do and Tom's Hardware has been great looking up information and the responses I get from others.

I'm nervous that HP won't allow me to upgrade power supply b/c HP power supplies are a specific size and standard ones don't fit. I guess it's a way HP ensure you buy their parts. I hope this isn't true!

I'm not sure about the size of the power supply being non-standard, but it's worth looking into. I have never heard of that before.

 

[smunier]

Best answer selected by smunier.